Engine: Will the finned aluminum head for the 170 ever make a comeback?

[alex54]

I've been looking at the finned head for a while. Being a old school hot rodder at heart, I'd love to have one for my 54 Champion. After a lot of searching through these forums and the web in general, I found that:

1. The head the was re-created by Cathcart is no longer made as he is now retired.
2. Original heads come up on e-bay once in a blue moon (But i have not found any doing a "completed auction" search.)
3. The original heads are a lower compression (7:1) compared to the Cathcart head (8:1).
4. Catcart's head is the only one with "Studebaker" cast into it. (a factor for me).

I know that an engine swap would make better $ to power gain sense, but no one accused me of making sense . I already own 3 cars with a engine swap (77 mgb w/302 stroked to 347 and 79 Triumph TR7 w/ 4.0 Rover). I also have a "traditional" custom. (1949 chevy fleetline w/ '57 235 ci 6 in full '53/54 Vette Blue flame special trim, shaved, frenched, and so on- all done as one would see in the '50's). So I want a different direction for this one. I want to keep the Stude stock, but with the original looking upgrades. That is was attracted me to the Cathcart head. It is the only one that has "studebaker" cast into the head, rather than another's manufacture's name.

So after this long explanation of my goal, does any one have any insight on the possibility of the Cathcart head coming back? I've read somewhere (possibly here) that the molds were going to someone to continue production. The Vette engine trim took almost 20 years of piecing together-but I like to see this in my lifetime!

[PackardV8]

Waiting for someone to put them back into production is a definite maybe.

From long experience, I'd guarantee there are a couple out there gathering dust on a shelf hoarded for a project which is never going to happen. To shake one loose, just put a

"WTB Cathcart Champion aluminum head - will pay your price!"

here and over on the truck forum.

jack vines

[alex54]

Waiting for someone to put them back into production is a definite maybe.

From long experience, I'd guarantee there are a couple out there gathering dust on a shelf hoarded for a project which is never going to happen. To shake one loose, just put a

"WTB Cathcart Champion aluminum head - will pay your price!"

here and over on the truck forum.

jack vines

Going back into production would be good news. I hope a few threads like this will show enough interest to make it happen.
"Will pay your price" would shake one loose, I'm sure. But I have to be more realistic than ever. I now have a total of 10 cars. I have only let go of one car in my life. And that was only because it was way too far damaged in a hit and run. (the person was running from the police-drug runner related). I suppose I never want to say,"I wish I still had..." or "I should have kept..." My budget can only go so far. I have a very loving and understanding wife. I want to keep it that way!! We did take the Stude out last night to get ice cream and had fun! She shares fun and enthusiasm, but I am the nut.....

[Leosnake]

Track down who has the molds...there's plenty of small foundries willing to do a small batch...at least over here in Southern California!
There are 2 mold makers by my house...I can get a price quote to have a pattern made off my Aluminum cylinder head...but I'm sure it's going to be up there in price not to mention if there's a patent on the head!